Christmas value in the Caribbean?
 

I know it's a way long shot, but is it possible to fly to the Caribbean for less than $400.00 a person, and spend less than $200 a night for one or two people, between Dec. 21st and January 1st?

Or should I get real and wait till april 15th?

J

Where from? From Miami maybe....

Probably not from elsewhere but the prices would be a little better outside the holiday dates eg, mid January.

Even in April you have to shop around!

Where are you fying from? It makes a difference in trying to answer your question about airfares. Also, what type of accomodations do you require? You might be able to find a room at a "guest house" or similar type small hotel not near the beach for that price on some islands but for $200 a night don't expect anything spectacular.

would be flying from New York, and I'd like a charming place, a guesthouse that is safe and clean would be fine.,

Doubtful you'll find a $400 r/t airfare from NYC to anywhere in the Caribbean in that Dec./Jan. time frame.

You have a better chance in April (after Easter week) - look at destinations you can reach non-stop like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica.

Hang out on the jamaicans.com forum
where price deals, esp.those on AIR JAMAICA and SPIRIT are announced.
Check in w/Spirit via Lauderdale to
MoBay/connections can prove dicey but
the pricing can be absurdly low. Christmas/nope, most places already booked out at this late date at that
price range and/or flights high/tix scarce. Look 1st/wnd2rd week January
up to 15 Feb and then April 15 on...

I'd suggest checking with a local travel agency, calling AA and Delta for package deals and JetBlue, which has flights into PR and Nassau, Bahamas.

Christmas is the height of the season, so hotels don't do alot of discounting.

I can recommend Orange Hill on Nassau as in your price range, it's a smaller hotel, nice pool and each room has a balcony or patio. There is also a frig in each room. The food is pretty good, there's a cute bar everyone hangs out in the evening.

There is a jitney that goes downtown to Nassau all day long so you can do a bit of siteseeing.

The website is www.orangehill.com.

Hope this helps.

We got a great deal from Miami to Grand Cayman over New Years on Spirit. It was like $160 round trip per person. I think that was a special sale. But keep your eye on Spirit. Maybe they will have another sale.

Orange Hill site is showing a rate of $121 for double room over the holiday. I don't know if there are any rooms available, so you will have to call.

Here's a place in St. Thomas for under your rate. It was the family home of an old island family & it has wonderful views.

http://www.crystalpalaceusvi.com/

There's also Hotel 1829.

http://www.hotel1829.com/

I'd think you could find something on just about every island within your accommodation budget. It's the airfare, even from NYC, that concerns me.

Check out this lovely home-style apartment in a family's home in Grenada: www.grenadagold.com. It's off the beaten path, but it looks very nice, and you cannot beat the price! I'm considering it for a stay in Grenada in May. In getting ready for the World Cricket Cup next spring, lots of people in Grenada are opening their homes for people. You could consider a homestay with folks there--probably under US $50/night.

There are also the paradores throughout Puerto Rico, which are quite reasonable and offer an authentic experience.

You have to be kidding! Airfare, even booked 9 months ago, is astronomical for the Christmas/New Year's perod. Furthermore, many resorts require a minimum stay during the holdays, with the minimum being 7 days, and sometimes 14 days. That being said, agree with A_Traveler that the airfare "bargain" will
just not be available. You are looking at the
$1000 range, and even that does not guarantee flight availablity. Personally, I'd "get real" (your words) and go after April 15,
when many deluxe properties heavily discount their room rates anyway.

I agree with others that reasonably priced airfares will be the hardest part. I'd suggest you check websites, newspapers, or travel agents for a last minute package trip. Some friends and I found a deal like that several years ago for Xmas to the Dominican Republic (one week for $1100 - 1200 each including air and a moderate AI resort). If you can't find a last minute trip you want,you can always wait until April.

Just thought I would let you know JetBlue is showing fares around $400-$500rt for the dates you want to travel to and from Nassau. If you play around with your dates you may be able to get it for $400rt.

The trouble with Nassau is that in December it can be a bit on the cool side so even though the airfare might be close to sohoprom's budget he/she could be disappointed about the temperature.

I was looking at the Petit Bacaye Cottage Hotel in Grenada's website to see what their prices would be as they are really a treasure. It's listed in pounds and I can't translate, but that might be a possibility. They have a couple of houses and a few thatched-roof cabanas that are set in banana fields by the sea. Most of the rooms have hardwood floors, a white-canopy four poster bed, an outdoor shower,and a porch with a hammock. Radios and TV's are not something you will find. There is a small massage cabana where you can unwind with coconut and nutmeg-oil rubs. 473/443-2902; www.petitbacaye.com.

Knowing, have you stayed at Petit Bacaye or know the people there? Your post makes you seem familiar with them. what's it like? I'm returning to Grenada next spring and I'd like to check them out, but I do already have accommodation booked...